“I sure hope so,” Brady said. “I’ve always watched him and admired him, the way that he’s played. He was a great young quarterback, he came to our stadium and beat us, and took his team to the Super Bowl in 2012. He’s accomplished a lot in the pros as a player and he’s certainly qualified, and I hope he gets a shot.”

Other than a few messages here and there on social media, Kaepernick has been largely quiet since he became a free agent. He spoke up, however, to the New York Daily News’ Shaun King, telling the publication that he was eager to return to the league.

On Dec. 16, 2012, Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers beat Brady’s Patriots at Gillette Stadium, 41-34. Kaepernick was 14-for-25 that day, but had 221 passing yards, four touchdowns (including one to former New England star Randy Moss), one pick, and 28 yards rushing.